Ever since the coronavirus pandemic began and brought the idea of disease prevention to the front of our minds, many people have been wondering about what extra steps they can take to protect themselves. Though we have vaccines for the COVID-19 virus and for seasonal influenza, there are always extra measures and tools at our disposal. We learned during the pandemic that distancing, masking, and frequent hand washing and disinfection protocols can lower our risk of contracting diseases of any kind. But many of us are also wondering what we can do to boost the strength of our immune system and help our body’s natural line of defense. For seniors, this is a greater challenge due to the changes brought about from age.
Continue ReadingExperiencing a stroke can be a life-altering event for seniors. Learn some practical tips and advice catering to your parent's recovery.
Continue ReadingWhile it is entirely possible to work out at home or outside, joining and working out at a gym has numerous advantages. For one, there is a large amount of space and a wide variety of equipment and machines, all allowing you to perform many exercises that would be otherwise difficult or impossible at home. Staff and instructors teach classes for you to follow along with, and can show you the correct and safe way to use machines and perform exercises. Gyms also provide a place to exercise in the event of bad weather, and many health insurance plans offer discounted or even free gym memberships.
Continue ReadingDeep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a large vein, most often in the lower leg, thigh, pelvis, or arm. The clot can not only cause temporary or permanent damage in the vein where it forms, but there is another risk of it breaking free.
Continue ReadingWhen the word travel comes up, most people have different images come up in their minds. For some, it means jet-setting off to a exotic, tropical locale. For others, a simple road trip out to see tourist stops along the highway, or maybe an all-inclusive cruise through the Gulf of Mexico.
Continue ReadingAddressing vitamin deficiencies in seniors is crucial for their well-being. Learn its importance and how to include them in meal planning effectively.
Continue ReadingIt can be a real challenge for family members to ensure their senior relatives are protected from threats. Learn how to keep them safe from online scams.
Continue ReadingIt is typically around 40 years of age that many people start to notice changes in their eyesight caused by aging. And in the United States, there are more than 142 million people that are currently over the age of 40. It is predicted that by the year 2030, more than 90 million people will be age 65 or older, and one in six of these people will have a vision impairment that will not be able to be corrected by glasses or contact lens. For people in these age groups, awareness of common eye symptoms can help them seek quicker treatment in order to prevent vision loss.
Continue ReadingYou may or may not have once heard the term “elder orphans” during the past year or two. This term was coined to describe those seniors who do not have a spouse or children who can assist them as the needs of their care change as they age. It is currently estimated that about twenty two percent of older adults today fall into this category, with the number only expected to rise as time goes on.
Continue ReadingEveryone alive is aware of the harmful effects of smoking, but the problem with nicotine addiction is that just being informed as to the negative health outcomes isn’t necessarily enough to stop. Any doctor under the sun will suggest for you to quit smoking, and your loved ones will certainly feel much better in their twilight years living a smoke-free lifestyle. But wanting to quit and actually quitting successfully are two different animals. Consider the following ways you can support and help facilitate your loved ones’ desire to give up their smoking habit.
Continue ReadingIt’s hard to know just how to plan for aging parents, but it’s especially hard for adult children with their own lives and responsibilities. There are several factors to consider when contemplating long term care for elderly parents.
Continue ReadingThe months following your loved one experiencing a stroke are frequently difficult. The transformation will necessitate an entirely new perspective on care, routine, and priorities. Not to mention the distress you’ll be feeling watching your loved one suffering from physical and emotional changes. However, with the large body of data around effective stroke therapy, there is optimism to be had for the road ahead.
Continue ReadingWe live in a world with countless senior discounts available that can significantly alleviate the financial strain felt by many individuals over the age of 60. Find out where you can get deals as a senior.
Continue ReadingUnderstanding your resting and active heart rates is an important indicator of overall health as a senior. Learn some tips to measure your resting and active heart rate.
Continue ReadingThere’s no shortage of ads for expensive face creams and lotions that purport to reduce the appearance of age, billing themselves as “fountains of youth”, or claiming that their effects are so powerful they’re putting plastic surgeons out of business.
Continue ReadingAs we journey through the aging process, maintaining physical and cognitive health becomes increasingly important. With our bodies and minds changing, we must care for ourselves in order to live a happy and healthy love. Fortunately, there are many things that older adults can do to maintain their physical and cognitive health, and here are some tips for keeping the body and mind in shape as we age.
Continue ReadingWhen you think of people who may not like Valentine’s Day, you might guess that it would be people who may have recently had a bad relationship or rough breakup. But there’s another group to consider, and it may surprise you to hear it’s older adults.
Continue ReadingWe’ve all had the experience of telling ourselves something along the lines of “I want to eat healthier” and then a week later we find ourselves reaching into a bag of potato chips. Or maybe we resolve to learn how to play the guitar or some other instrument, and then find ourselves never once touching one or going to a lesson. Sometimes the gulf between setting a goal and achieving it can seem insurmountable. Some people seem to be able to set a goal for themselves and then you see them actively working to achieve it. For others, not so much. If you find yourself constantly falling short of the expectations you set for yourself, some strategies in setting goals might be just what you need.
Continue ReadingAs we age, our memory tends to become less reliable. We may forget important details, where we put things, or dates and appointments. This is a normal part of the aging process, but there are ways to help prevent or slow memory less.
Continue ReadingMesa winters can be harsh on indoor air quality. The cold weather and lack of sunlight can cause a build-up of pollutants in the home, harming seniors. Due to the lack of humidity, indoor air can quickly become much drier, worsening the symptoms of their chronic illness. Therefore, seniors with respiratory illnesses should take extra precautions during the winter months in Mesa. Seniors and their primary caregivers should keep indoor air quality consistent all winter.
Continue ReadingGift giving for seniors, as an age group, can be particularly challenging. After all, having lived their lives and collected many possessions over the years, there’s often not much they want or need, WIth some creativity, however, you’ll be sure to have them smiling when they unwrap their gift.
Continue ReadingFor some seniors who have limited mobility, the holiday months can be stressful and even disappointing. Learn how seniors can continue their favorite traditions of the holiday season, even if they have limited mobility.
Continue ReadingFrom phishing scams to fake online stores, seniors are at risk of being defrauded if they're not careful. Learn some tips to help seniors in Mesa avoid eCommerce scams and cybercrime this Black Friday.
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For care providers as well as the family members and loved ones of the elderly, it is important to recognize the warning signs of dementia and how to distinguish them from normal changes brought on by the aging process. Dementia is a collection of symptoms that occur due to a variety of diseases. The symptoms include impairment in thought, communication, and memory. There is, unfortunately at the time of this writing, no cure for the disease. The best way we know to combat it is adopting a healthy lifestyle to hopefully prevent it or slow the progression of symptoms.
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